Hurricane Safety and Preparation Tips
Evacuation and Shelter Information (English) (Spanish)
Six Year List of Hurricane Names
Because of its geographical location Pasquotank and Camden County is vulnerable to hurricanes. Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th.
Hurricanes develop from tropical depressions (sustained winds up to 38 mph) to tropical storms (winds 39-73 mph) before becoming hurricanes (winds 74 mph or more).
The winds, a product of extremely low pressure zones powered by moisture from the sea and heat from condensation, spiral downward counter-clockwise. If the barometer drops below 1,000 millibars you should begin to monitor weather broadcasts.
The amount of damage you can expect from a hurricane is directly linked to the wind velocity of the storm. The National Hurricane Center uses the Saffir/Simpson scale that classifies storms into five categories.
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| CATEGORY 1 - Winds 74-95 mph |
| CATEGORY 2 - Winds 96-110 mph |
| CATEGORY 3 - Winds 111-130 mph |
| CATEGORY 4 - Winds 131-155 mph |
| CATEGORY 5 - Winds greater than 155 mph |
It is important to keep in mind that a hurricane does not have to be a direct hit to cause great damage and that the course and intensity of a storm can change as it approaches land.
Hurricane force winds can reach more than 200 mph as far out as 20 to 30 miles from the eye. The gale winds of a hurricane can extend 200 miles or more on the "front side" of the storm and trail hundreds of miles on the "backside." The greatest threat from hurricane winds is flying debris and the potential formation of tornadoes. Usually the most dangerous part of a hurricane is the northeastern quadrant.
| For More Information |
| NC Storm Surge |
| Hurricane Tracking Chart |
| ¿Está preparado para un huracán? |
| Are You Ready for a Hurricane? (Vietnamese) |
| Mitigation Measures -- Please visit FEMA http://www.fema.gov |
| Is Your Home Protected From Hurricane Damage? (English) (Spanish) |
| Avoiding Flood Damage: A Checklist For Homeowners |
| Emergency Management Guide For Business And Industry |
| Repairing Your Flooded Home |
| Avoiding Hurricane Damage: A Checklist For Homeowners |
|
Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your House from Flooding |
| For Kids |
| NOAA |
| FEMA |
| Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book Spanish version |
| Special Needs Visit Redcross http://www.redcross.org |
| People With Special Medical Needs Preparedness Info |
| Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities |
| Generator Usage and Safety Fact Sheet |